In the mid sixteenth century, Henry VIII sits on the throne, and Bianca Goddard tends to the sick and suffering in London’s slums, where disease can take a life as quickly as murder. . .
For years, alchemist Ferris Stannum has devoted himself to developing the Elixir of Life, the reputed serum of immortality. Having tested his remedy successfully on an animal, Stannum intends to send his alchemy journal to a colleague in Cairo for confirmation. Instead he is strangled in his bed and his journal is stolen.
As the daughter of an alchemist herself, Bianca is well acquainted with the mystical healing arts. As her husband, John, falls ill with the sweating sickness, she dares to hope Stannum’s journal could contain the secret to his recovery. But first she must solve the alchemist’s murder. As she ventures into a world of treachery and deceit, Stannum’s death proves to be only the first in a series of murders–and Bianca’s quest becomes a matter of life and death, not only for her husband, but for herself. .
Mary Lawrence is great at with she does, with the historical accuracy and a story well written you will feel like you have been swept away to 1643 London. Bianca is a strong character that can hold her own and she knows how to get things done. So when she finds out that Ferris has been killed and his journal is missing she needs to find out why. And on all nights when Ferris had discovered the Elixir of Life. She knows that they are somehow connected and will do all that she must to find out who the killer is. So captivating is the story that once you start it you wont be able to put it down.
About The Author
Mary Lawrence studied biology and chemistry, graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Cytotechnology. She won the Celtic Heart Golden Claddagh Award for historical fiction, and was a finalist in both the RWA® Golden Heart contest, and the Gotham Young Adult Novel Discovery competition. Along with writing and farming, Lawrence works as a cytologist near Boston. She lives in Maine. The Alchemist’s Daughter is the first book in the Bianca Goddard Mystery series. Visit her at marylawrencebooks.com.
Author Links:
Webpage – http://www.marylawrencebooks.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/marylawrence.author
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/84420.Mary_Lawrence
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@mel59lawrence
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mel59lawrence/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25489259-death-of-an-alchemis
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I like reading books set in this time....especially alchemy...peeks my curiosity...
ReplyDeletethe3beersus@yahoo.com
Thank you for providing an incite into this book. I am not familiar with Mary Lawrence's writing and it is nice to be able to get a feel for it before purchasing a book. robeader53@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you Shelly for reviewing!
ReplyDeleteLove reading period pieces.
ReplyDeletethis was an interesting time - wouldn't have wanted
to be living through that but it makes for great reading.
thanks.
True, Mary! The story is set amongst the commoners, so no court politics. But the people had to abide by Henry's 'rules'--not easy.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to read about London during the reign of Henry VIII, but not focusing solely on Henry and all of his court intrigues and goings on. Sounds like a great story and mystery!
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteHmmm, that would be a different type of book for me. It sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoy historical fiction. Would love to read these, they sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteBook 2 Death of an Alchemist is a bit of a ride, it's a sting, and a love story rolled in one.
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